Description
These Santa Hat Topped Red Velvet Cupcakes are the ultimate festive dessert. Each cupcake features a soft red velvet base topped with creamy frosting and a fresh strawberry ‘Santa hat’.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon red gel food coloring
- Fresh ripe strawberries, hulled
- 1 ½ cups whipped cream or frosting
- 2–3 tablespoons powdered sugar (optional for stability)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for whipped topping)
Instructions
- Preheat to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk eggs, sugar, buttermilk, oil, vanilla, vinegar, and red gel coloring.
- Add dry mix to the wet ingredients and stir gently until just combined.
- Divide batter evenly, filling each liner about two-thirds full.
- Bake 16–18 minutes or until centers spring back when touched.
- Allow cupcakes to cool completely before decorating.
- Remove tops to create flat bases.
- Pipe a swirl of frosting onto each cupcake.
- Place strawberries upside down on frosting and add a small frosting dot to the tip.
Notes
- Sift dry ingredients for smooth texture.
- Use gel coloring for vibrant red color.
- Do not overmix—batter should stay light.
- Dry strawberries well to prevent slipping.
- Use stabilized whipped cream for tall designs.
- Pipe a frosting ‘base’ before placing strawberries.
- Store undecorated cupcakes for up to 3 days at room temperature.
- Refrigerate decorated cupcakes for 1–2 days.
- Freeze undecorated cupcakes for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Santa Hat Topped Red Velvet Cupcakes, festive cupcakes, holiday dessert